Marks Family Charitable Trust

The Marks Family Charitable Trust, established in 1971 by Simon Marks (later 3rd Baron Marks of Broughton) to perpetuate the philanthropy of Marks & Spencer founder Michael Marks, is a family-run foundation now stewarded by successive generations, including Chair Lord Marks, Hon Mrs Miriam Cooper, and Dr Rebecca Marks. Its mission centers on supporting UK charitable work through a discretionary, values-driven model that adapts to contemporary needs, emphasizing long-term partnerships, measurable impact, and sustainability for marginalized groups like young people and refugees. Distinctive for its multigenerational legacy, proactive trustee-led decisions, and rare transparency via published project lists and accounts, it prioritizes high-quality, often high-profile initiatives.

The trust funds young people via education (scholarships with Schwab/Westheimer Trusts and Refugee Education UK, literacy with National Literacy Trust), health (e.g., NHS Healing Garden), refugee support, arts/heritage restoration (Royal Academy Schools, Exeter College Library), and select global environmental projects (BirdLife International, Berkeley Reafforestation Trust). It backs project delivery, capital works, capacity building, scholarships, and multi-year programs for UK-registered charities and voluntary bodies serving under-represented communities, with a UK-wide focus but occasional international elements.

Eligible applicants must be UK-based registered charities of varying sizes, preferably established with high-impact programs; grassroots groups are rarer. Invitation-only process means no unsolicited applications—trustees proactively select partners and meet biannually in London to decide. Typical grants range £10,000–£100,000 (up to hundreds of thousands for capital), excluding individuals, unrestricted core costs, or non-charitable purposes. This selective, relationship-based approach sets it apart as a trusted partner for strategic UK philanthropy.